A visit to the medieval settlement of Voila is a charming trip back in time. The deserted settlement is located in close proximity to Handras in Siteia, east Crete. On its southeastern side, you see a steep hill that creates a natural fortification while on the northern and western sides, the houses look like a fortress. The settlement was enclosed by a low wall which is partially preserved until today.

Its initial size was not the one we see today. It used to extend below the rural road but due to its construction, some buildings were destroyed. The majority of the surviving buildings date back to the Ottoman Empire, but there are some Venetian structures in ruins that are considered notable architectural examples and reveal the affluence of the area during the Venetian domination. 

Two elegant and curated Ottoman fountains supplied water to the settlement, while its most imposing structure is the tower, known as the tower of “Jen Ali”, most likely built during the Venetian domination but reconditioned by the Ottomans, who added the elaborate superstructure.

Voila reached its prime between the 15th and the 19th century. During the Venetian domination, it was allegedly part of a fief that belonged to a noble family, while during the Ottoman era, the settlement was inhabited by Turks and was the turf of a Jannissary troop. The most noted Jannissary commander was Jen Ali who allegedly gave his name to the tower.

Since the late 1900s, Voila declined and was abandoned.